The difference between Mets fans & Yankees fans

The spouse and I are off to see the New York Mets play the Washington Nationals (aka the Nats) today at Citi Field. I bought the tickets a couple weeks ago, when the Mets were on what became an 11-game winning streak. (Though I probably would have purchased tickets anyway.)

What a difference a week makes.

At 16-9, the Mets are still well over .500, and are still in first place in the National League East. (For now.) And Matt Harvey, their pitching ace, has started the season an impressive 5 and 0 (though he doesn't look nearly as dominant as he did two years ago). So the Mets should at least win one out of five games. But that feeling of elation among Mets fans as the Mets entered Yankee Stadium last weekend has pretty much evaporated.

[I am as likely, and as often, to grumble "Do not f*ck this up, Mets!" as I am to scream "Let's go Mets!" And I have also begun thanking Jesus when the infield or a base runner doesn't make an error and/or a Met scores, which amuses the spouse to no end.*]

Sure, sure, there are plenty of Mets fans who still think this could be the year. But I would hazard that the majority of Mets fans, while hoping that the team will make it to the playoffs this year, are pretty much waiting for the team to implode, as they have done every year for nearly 10 years now.

And therein lies the difference between Mets fans and Yankees fans (and Mets fans and Nats fans and St. Louis Cardinals fans and San Francisco Giants fans).

Yankees (and Cardinals and Giants and Nats) fans expect their team to win, and are surprised and disappointed when it loses. Mets fans expect their team to lose, and are surprised and elated when it wins. 

Which is why when my daughter asked me this morning, "Are you excited about going to see the Mets?" I replied, "At least it's supposed to be a nice day. Ask me when I get home." 

UPDATED: Maybe the Mets should change their slogan from "Ya gotta believe" to "Hope for the best, expect the worst." As feared, the Mets lost to the Nats (again), 1-0, making several errors and squandering several opportunities. Sigh.

*Because we're Jewish. But then again, so was Jesus.

When the Mets beat the Yankees at Citi Field

As many of you know, I am a huge fan of the New York Mets. And this Sunday the spouse and I attended our first game of the season at Citi Field, where the Mets were hosting the Evil Empire New York Yankees.

I was a little nervous about attending the game as thunderstorms had been predicted, we were leaving our teenage daughter home alone, and the Mets had lost the previous two games to the Yankees. But fortunately my fears (on all three counts) were for naught. And despite a 90-minute rain delay (even though it wasn't raining), and being surrounded by screaming Yankees fans ("Let's go Yankees!"), the Mets ("Yankees SUCK!*") and I did just fine, though we both had our moments.

Indeed, the July 3 Yankees-Mets game at Citi Field was one of the most exciting baseball games I have ever attended, and not just because the Mets managed to win the ballgame 3-2 in the bottom of the 10th inning (though that played a large part).

I also managed to capture some rather unusual photos during the game, including...

proof that Yankees' third baseman Alex Rodriguez (aka A-Rod) walks on air (even when he strikes out)...















Here's a closeup:















(Who knew steroids -- or was it Cameron Diaz? -- could get you high?)

Mr. Met, the New York Mets' mascot, shooting up (t-shirts, that is)...















as well as a fan giving Mr. Met a big hand (literally).















And two lovebirds watching the last innings of the Mets-Yankees game:















*While I am sure Red Sox fans agree with this sentiment, the Yankees, at least in terms of the MLB standings, do not suck in the least and, in fact, are in first place in the American League East. This was merely what us poor trod upon Mets fans shouted each time those obnoxious Yankees fans shouted "Let's go Yankees!"

I knew there was something squirrely about the Yankees!

I have heard of unusual promotions to get baseball fans into the stands, but this is just nuts!



Better, full version can be found here. (MLB won't let you embed videos. Boo.)

The squirrel, nicknamed Rocky, apparently thought it was Wildlife Day at Target Field in Minneapolis Tuesday, where the Minnesota Twins were hosting the New York Yankees. Or perhaps Rocky, who was visiting from nearby Frostbite Falls, Minnesota, mistook Twins third baseman Brendan Harris for Boris Badenov.

Whatever the case, someone should consider drafting that squirrel. Not only does he run faster than most baseball players, he struck out Yankees third basemen Alex Rodriguez.

Baseball fans rejoice! (Except for you Mets fans.)

Baseball season officially begins tonight (YAY!) with World Series champions the New York Yankees (BOO!) taking on the Boston Red Sox (HISS!) in Boston. Tomorrow, the rest of the American League, as well as the National League, swings into regular season action.

I know some of my D.C.-area readers are taking tomorrow off to attend the Washington Nationals home opener against the National League Pennant-winning Philadelphia Phillies. (God, it hurt to type that. Oh, and for the record, the Phillie Phanatic? WORST mascot EVER. Mr. Met could totally kick his ass... maybe.) As an added bonus (unless you are a Republican), President Obama will be throwing out the first pitch.

As for my beloved, injury-plagued New York Mets, they start the season off at home tomorrow, taking on the Florida Marlins at Citi Field.

While Yankees, Red Sox, and Phillies fans have much to look forward to this season -- even Nationals fans, with their signing of rookie pitching ace Stephen Strasburg, who despite starting in the minors is expected to be pitching in the big leagues by Memorial Day (if not sooner) -- Mets fans? Not so much, at least not with Mets starting pitchers Johan Santana, John Maine, Jon Niese, Mike Pelfrey, and Oliver Perez combining for an average 7.48 ERA during spring training. (And if you took out Santana, it would be much worse.) Why couldn't the Mets have signed Roy Halladay or John Lackey? Why? (Weeping.)

Sure, the Mets have some really strong bats, what with David Wright, Jeff Francoeur, and Jason Bay in the lineup, and (fingers crossed) short stop Jose Reyes and center fielder Carlos Beltran coming off the DL later this month, but it all comes down to pitching. And right now, aside from Cy Young award-winner Johan Santana, who had surgery last fall to remove bone chips from his left elbow, the Mets are seriously screwed starting pitching-wise -- unless, like Jesus Christ, the Mets starting rotation miraculously returns to life after being crucified last season. (Sorry, just had to slip in an Easter reference, cause, you know, it is Easter.)

Anyway, only time -- and 162 games -- will tell which teams will make it to the World Series this fall (though I've already heard "Yankees - Phillies rematch" and "Rockies and Rays.") But if you think you know who will still be playing in October, or just want to beat your chest about how your team is red hot (and every other team ain't doodly-squat), leave me a Comment (by clicking on the "Post a Comment" link, below).

Now play ball!

UPDATED: Red Sox beat the Yanks 9 to 7 last night. Up next: Mets vs. Marlins, Nationals vs. Phillies...

UPDATED 4/5/10: Mets win! Mets win! And they didn't just win, they pulverized the Florida Marlins, beating them 7 to 1. While I would like to give all the credit to the Mets offense and defense, the Marlins played so badly today I wondered if someone had paid the team to take a dive. Still, as one Phillies phan I know is fond of saying, "a win is a win is a win." Now if only we can get at least 90 more Ws this season. In other news, the Phillies routed the Nationals 11 to 1. Ouch. Though maybe the Redskins will return the favor this fall when former Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb joins the team as Washington's new starting QB.

Jets, Yankees win. Giants and their fans lose. Plus World Series and Super Bowl predictions.

If only the Jets could play every game in sunny, 70 degree weather against a team like the Oakland Raiders. But as a certain Phillies fan friend of ours (yes, we have friends who are Phillies fans - okay, one friend) likes to say: A win is a win is a win. And we Jets fans will take it. Final score: Jets 38, Raiders 0. And the Jets take the No. 2 spot in the AFC East, behind the New England Patriots.

Moving right along.... As you may recall, last night's question was "Yankees or Giants?" (Going to a sports bar or turning our bedroom back into a sports bar was not an option.) The answer: the Yankees. (It was the spouse's call, and at least he allowed me to work the remote and occasionally flip over the Giants game.) Final score: Yankees 5, Angels 2. And again, the California team choked.

This means, of course, that it will be the New York Yankees taking on the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies at Yankee Stadium in the World Series this Wednesday night at 7:30 ET on Fox. And for the duration I will be one of those "Mets Fans for the Yankees," albeit begrudgingly. Go Yankees. Yea. My World Series prediction? I actually think the Phillies will win again this year, but that the Series will go to six or seven games.

But getting back to football. As I did not watch most of the Giants - Cardinals game, and the Giants lost (thanks in large part to three Eli Manning interceptions), that's about all I am going to say on that subject. However, while watching the other football games that were not competing with the Yankees - Angels game, namely the Minnesota Vikings - Pittsburgh Steelers game yesterday (Steelers won 27-17 in an exciting game), I came up with a new drinking game, which I call "Adrian Peterson, blah, blah, blah." Here's how it works: Every time an announcer shouts the name "Adrian Peterson," you have to drink a shot or take a swig of beer. Chances are you will be blasted by the half. Oh and the Saints won, again. Blah, blah, blah.

In other football news, the Colts, Broncos, and Saints remain undefeated at 6-0 going into Week 8, when AGAIN, thanks to Fox Sports and Brett Favre, the Jets and the Giants and now the Eagles (who will be playing the Giants) will all be playing at 1 p.m. ET. WTF people?! Again with the same game time? Not cool.

Oh and as for my Super Bowl prediction (drum roll, please): I'm seeing the Indianapolis Colts vs. the New Orleans Saints, but I would not be surprised if the New England Patriots or the Minnesota Vikings made it in either. Okay, you heard it here first.

But for this week, it's all baseball. Go Yankees! (Ouch. I think I just pulled something.)

Yankees or Giants? Baseball or football? Fox forces fans to pick sides.

Yet again New York area sports fans are being forced to choose between teams (or spend the evening at a sports bar) -- all because of stupid Fox Sports. FOOOOOOOOX!

Do they watch the 5 - 1 NY Giants play the Arizona Cardinals at Giants Stadium (in New Jersey) tonight at 8:20 ET on NBC? Or do they watch the NY Yankees play the Los Angeles Angels for the American League pennant tonight over at Yankee Stadium starting at 8:20 ET over on Fox? (Btw, for all you readers in the Tri-State area, avoid the Cross Bronx Expressway at all costs this evening. Heck, avoid the Bronx entirely, unless you want to spend your evening in your car.)

For die-hard New York sports fans it's a bit like Sophie's Choice as most Yankees fans are die-hard Giants fans and vice versa.

The spouse predicts that more people will be watching the Yankees game -- and will only flip over to the Giants game during commercial breaks. (That is unless they turn their bedroom into a sports bar.) Me? I will be watching my beloved Giants on NBC Sunday Night Football -- unless they suck, in which case I will begrudgingly flip over to Fox and watch the Yankees, even though I loathe the Yankees. LOATHE. THEM. (Personal note: For a lifelong Mets fan the thought of a Yankees - Philadelphia World Series makes the stomach churn.)

In a no-brainer, I will also be watching the New York Jets and Mark Sanchez take on the Oakland Raiders out in Oakland, California, where it's supposed to be in the 70s today, at 4:05 ET this afternoon. Hopefully the warm, sunny weather will restore Sanchez's throwing arm and revitalize the Jets defense so they can go above .500.

Check in tomorrow for my post-game update.

Pat Sajak guardian Angel?

Anyone else happen to notice a familiar face behind home plate at Angel Stadium in Anaheim this week? A certain host of a certain game show having to do with a Wheel and Fortune?

I am, of course, referring to Pat Sajak, host of Wheel of Fortune, who has been a prominent presence looming in the background of the ALCS out in Anaheim, California, where the New York Yankees are battling the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (aka the Halos) for a spot in the World Series.

Wonder if any Angels have asked Pat if they could buy a run (and if Vanna's working the scoreboard).

[O/T: Anyone else SICK of those BlackBerry commercials featuring the Beatles "All You Need Is Love" that Fox seems to air at EVERY commercial break? I used to like that song....]

UPDATED 10/21/09: So why is Pat Sajak there behind home plate? His buddy, and sports agent to the stars, Scott Boras got him those primo seats (no doubt as an early birthday present), per Dan Patrick. Btw, the Angels could have used to buy a few runs last night (and/or bought the umpires some glasses), losing to the Yankees 10-1. No word if Sajak will again be sitting shiva (even though he's Christian) behind home plate Thursday night.

My 10-yr-old nephew pitches better than Oliver Perez... Jets finally sign a cute QB... Switzerland bans nude hiking

Big, big, big weekend Tri-State area sports fans! The Mets nearly swept the Nationals. (Though really, that's not much of an accomplishment.) The Red Sox swept the Yankees. (Pathetic.) The New York Jets, in a move that surprised and thrilled their fans, took USC quarterback Mark Sanchez as their fifth draft pick overall. And the Swiss canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden voted to ban nude hiking. (Okay, that is not technically a New York area story, but I knew fans of the blog, many of whom are born or naturalized New Yorkers, would want to know.)

First to the Mets and pitcher Oliver Perez. Never has $36 million dollars been so poorly spent or invested (well, except maybe for the $300 million Fred Wilpon invested with Bernard Madoff) -- the price the Mets paid to retain starting pitcher Oliver "Ollie" Perez. You would think for $36 million Perez could throw the ball at least 90 mph over the plate and get a few strike outs. But no. Once again the Mets $36 million man went down in flames, causing the Mets to lose 8 - 1 TO THE LAST PLACE 3 (now 4) - 13 WASHINGTON NATIONALS, making Perez 1-2 with a 9.31 ERA, and putting the Mets in second to last place in the NL East. Pathetic.

The New York Yankees were almost equally pathetic over the weekend, losing to the Boston Red Sox three games in a row. Things got so bad that in the fifth inning of Sunday's game that the Bo Sox Jacoby Ellsbury was able to steel home against Yanks pitcher Andy Pettitte. And I got a news flash for all you Yankees fans: I doubt that Alex Rodriguez returning to the lineup on May 15 is going to make a big difference. Some difference, sure. But unless the Yankees do something about their pitching/pitchers, they aren't going to even make it to the playoffs this year. (Ditto the Mets.)

And in much happier sports news: The New York Jets selected USC quarterback Mark Sanchez in Saturday's NFL draft, to much cheering and high-fiving from New York Jets fans, including WFAN's Craig Carton, the guy who last summer led a rally to get Brett Favre to the Jets. 'Nuff said.

It is waaaaaay too soon to say/predict if Mark Sanchez will be the franchise quarterback the Jets and their fans have been praying for, but from all the scouting reports, the guy shows a lot of promise. And did I mention he is way cute? (Seriously, though, could things really get much worse for the Jets? Great move, Mike Tannenbaum.)

In other Jets news, just before the draft Saturday the Jets apparently contacted former Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress's agent about a possible deal. Seriously? Yeah, seriously. (Huh. I had no idea you could play professional football while serving a prison term.)

And with that, I'm off to hit the showers.